Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-09-18
know It isa rising, and not setting

SUM-
ave stand to-day on the spot where
his rising sun emerged from political
night and darkness, and 10 its own bright
meridian light we nsrk its glorious way.
Clouds have sometimes ObscuredTs yayS
and dreadful storms have INSIDE us
tear, but God ms held if in
its course, and through its life giving
Wsrmth has performed MS Istest miracle
IN the creation OF this wonderous land
ani people. As we look down
THE PAST CENTURY
TO the origin OF our constitution, as we
contemplate its trisIs aud triumphs. IS
We realize how completely the principles
upon which it IS based awe met every
nauCnal peril snd every national need,
now deyOutlv should we confess with
Franklin that God governs ii the sf.irs
Of men, and how solemn should be the
rld9ct,On that to our hands is committed
the arz OF the peoples covenant, End that
ours is the duty to shield il from fmpious
hands. We receive It sealed with the
tests OF century Il mas been
found suli-ient in the psst and in aII
future years it will be found sufficient if
The American people are true to their
sacred trust. Another centennial will
come aEj
MILLIONS YET UNBORN
will inquire concerning our stewardship
and the safety of their constitution. God
grant they may find it unlmpGired: and as
we rejoice IN the patriotism sud devotion
OF those who lived 100 years sgO, so may
others who follow Us rejoice in our
fidelity and in our Jealous love for con-
stitutional liberty"
When tho President uUos IN 4Lo ,,,;5d1o
of his remarks the soft, mellow sound Of
the bell in the cupOls Of the state house
which occupies the place Of honor
on the structure wherein reposes
| the cracked and time-stained 0. mass
of metal, the Liberty bell,
rang out the hour of twelve, and at each
stroke rousing cheer went up from the
chorus. The President was obliged to
stop talking for few seconds. II was
Just i2:25 when the President uttered his
last word, End he st once retired to his
seat. Before the echo OF his words had
died away there was cheering which was
deateniIg. While the applause was still
/ going on the chorus broke into
s p&triotic air, and the din WAS
/ terrific. As far as the eye could reach
there was one Sold, seethiDg, surging
mass of humanity, and when their throsts
/ opened IN union they filed the air and
made an inspiring scene.
When quier once more reigned Justice
Samuel +. Miller of the United States
/ Supreme court appeared, aad, stepping
quickly to the front OF the stand and fac
ing the assembled dfgnitaries, began the
I delivery OF his memorial Grafton, the
substance OF which was as follows
Mr. President and Fellow COuntrymen:
The people Of the United States, for ten
or twelve years past, have COMMUNICATED
certain days OF those different years as
t5e centennial anniversaries of important
events in their history. These gatherings
Of the people have been in the localities
where the historic events occurred. 1t is
little over eleven years since the great
centennial anniversary OF the adoption Of
the Declaration of Independence vas Gel
ebrated in this city, where the Congress
sat which proclaimed it. The grand in
/ dustrial exhibition, the august ceremonies
of the day, end all the incidents of the
COmmemOratiOn, in no respect fell below
WHIST was demanded By the importance Of
/ the occasion. May it be long before the
people of the United States snail cease to
take deep and pervading interest in the
Fourth of July, as the birthday Of our na-
occurred shall be subordinated to any
other OF
OUR NATIONAL HIsTCSE.
We are met here TO commemorate an
other event in our progress, in many re-
speCts inferior to none in Importance in
our own history, or in the history OF the
world. 1t is the formation OF the Con-
stitution Of the United States, which on
this day, 100 years ago, IVES adopted by
the convention which represented the
people of the United States, and which
was then signed by the delegates who
framed it, and published as the final re-
suit OF their arduOus labOrs-of their
most careful and deliberate consideration
and OF love of country as unmixed
with seIfianess as human nature Is caps-
BILE OF.
In looking at the names of those
who signed the instrument, our sentiment
OF piOus reverence for the work Of their
hands hardly permits US TO discriminate
by special mention of any. But IL is sure
ly not in bad taste to mention that the
name of George Washington is there as
its first signer and president of the con-
vention; the msn OF whom it was after
wards so happily declared by the repre-
sent&tives of q grateful people, that he
was 'hrst in war, first in peace, and first
in the hearts of his countrYmen." =
II is necessary to any Just appreciation
Of the constitution, whose presentation
for acceptance to the people OF the United
States 100 years ago, on this day we
: commemorate, that some statement OF
its origin, and OF the causes which led to
it, should be made. The occasion re-
Quires that this shall be brief.
, The war Of seven years, which was
weged in support of the independence Of
these states, former provinces of Great
) Britain-an independence announced by
the Declaration of July (, 1776, already
referred to-the war which
will always be known in the his
d tory of this country ss the war OF
, the revolution, WAS conducted by union
t OF those states under an agreement be-
J tween them called articles of confedera.
! ton. Under these articles each state was
an integer Of equal dignity and rewer In
q body called the Congress, which con-
Quoted the affairs of an incipient nation,
, Each of the thirteen states which COM
! posed this confederation sent TO Con.
gress as many delegates IS it chose, with.
out reference to its population. its wealtS
or the extent OF It's territory; out the
vote upon the passage of any law, or res.
! OlUtion, or action suggested, was taker
, by states, the members from each state
however small, constituting one vote. anC
{. mai ority OF these votes by states beips
necessary TO
: THE ADOPTION OF FHE PRoeoarTrOv
The most imDOrtapt mottora =. -